ROBSON Blake made an early start to 2017/18 in his bid to grasp his chance as a professional at Newport Gwent Dragons – and pledged to give his all to show he’s worthy of being a regional regular.

The powerful number eight has quit his job as a tree surgeon for a one-year deal with the Rodney Parade region after catching the eye with Bedwas.

The Dragons squad return for their first block of pre-season training under new boss Bernard Jackman on Thursday. However, Blake has already been put through his paces by the conditioning staff of Ryan Harris, Simon Church and Rhodri West at the Ystrad Mynach training base.

The 22-year-old, who played against Leicester, Newcastle and Gloucester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last season, reported in under his 130kg target and has been toiling hard.

“It’s hard work but exciting,” he said. “They wanted me to have a bit of a head start, because I’m not used to this volume of exercise, and I enjoy it when I get out there, but I do miss cutting down trees!

“Last year I was in one day a week and if I am honest it was tough fitting it in with work. I did struggle and was glad to see the end of the season, but after a break I can’t wait to get going.

“I’ve got to make the most of this opportunity and I know that it’s down to me now. I’ve had help from so many coaches and people are trying to help me as much as they can, but now it’s on me.

“I’ve got to be more professional now and hopefully I can have a good pre-season, get fit and push to be in the first team regularly.”

Blake made his bow as a replacement in front of 18,750 at Welford Road and also made cameos against the Falcons at Rodney Parade and Gloucester at Kingsholm.

The Dragons management felt that his conditioning made it more appropriate to utilise his impressive ball-carrying as an impact sub when the game was more unstructured.

But Blake, who will be battling with Harri Keddie, Lewis Evans and Ollie Griffiths for the 8 jersey following Ed Jackson’s spinal injury, hopes that his summer toil will put him in a position to push for a starting role and a Guinness PRO12 debut.

“I’ve got to keep my head down now,” said Blake, who featured in the British and Irish Cup for the Dragons Premiership Select XV.

The Dragons have been good enough to try and help me out and push me that bit further. Whatever I put into this is whatever I will get out of it.

“If I put the effort in and still don’t make it then there we are, I’ll go back to cutting down trees, but I will know I’ve given it my all.

“I can’t wait for the season because I never thought that I’d be a professional rugby player. I’ve come off the bench a few times but if I manage to get a few PRO12 games and some starts, that’s when the dream is coming true.”